THE BLIND SIDE (2010)

[indianasmith]

I watched this movie with my daughters last night, and I was very pleasantly surprised. It is a truly heartwarming story with some sympathetic and loving characters, but what I like most of all is that it is true.  The fact that people like the Leigh Anne Tuohy really exist makes me feel good.  Even if you don't like Sandra Bullock, or don't like sports films, or don't like "feel good" movies, you ought to give this one a chance.  I did and was both entertained and deeply moved by it.  A quick synopsis, if you haven't seen the trailers . . .

"Big Mike" Oher is a huge, lonely, withdrawn teenager who has never met his father and has a drug-addicted prostitute for a mother.  He is admitted to a private Christian school with the help of a smooth talking janitor and a coach who sees a potential star in this big, lonely boy.  But it is the Tuohy family that turns Mike's life around - seeing him walking in the rain after a ball game, they invited him home and ultimately take him into their family. Despite many setbacks along the way, he eventually opens up to this wealthy white family.  He becomes a star left tackle on the football team and ultimately goes to Old Miss, where he gains national attention and makes the NFL.